MassWorks Groundbreaking in Berlin

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On September 8, 2014, Chris Senie of Senie & Associates welcomed several guests and officials to the site of their Riverbridge Project. He was particularly pleased to welcome Secretary of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED), Greg Bialecki, whose office approved the $1.5 million MassWorks grant for infrastructure improvements to River Road West, including both roadway and pedestrian enhancements, that allow for the planned mixed use development.  View the funding approval by MassWorks.

The Riverbridge Project is a 26 acre village style development with housing, restaurants, retail and 86 acres of preserved open space. Secretary Bialecki spoke to the project’s merits and its consistency with community character, noting the importance of housing and sustainable development to the the Patrick Administration. He was joined by Senator Flanagan and Representative Naughton, who both noted their pleasure to represent the Town of Berlin, which is new to both of their districts.

There was a consistent theme of family and community throughout the groundbreaking event, with the Senie brothers explaining the vision and history of the project, the Roedel brothers discussing their 109-room Homewood Suites by Hilton, Selectman Walter Bickford spoke about the ease of working with the project partners to make sure the planned development fit into the community and even the former property owner from the Risi family was in attendance.

This site of the Riverbridge Project was identified as a local and regional Priority Development Area in the 495/MetroWest Development Compact Plan, released by Secretary Bialecki in 2012. The Plan was the result of work by EOHED with the Partnership and several other partners, and it continues to bring state resources to the 495/MetroWest region.